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Birds in Flight


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15 replies to this topic

#1
Scotty

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I am having trouble in taking clear pictures of birds in flight (autofocus). I would suspect that since I am not using a tripod then this would mainly be down to camera shake ?

 

Is the simple solution to start using a tripod ?

 

Camera - Nikon D500

Lens - Nikon 70 - 200 f2.8e FL ED 

 

Auto focus

VR Setting = Sport

A/m 



#2
Jerry_

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Hello,

To be able to reply best, could you please share a picture and the related EXIF data?

Using a tripod can help as changing the focus settings can (depending on your current settings). I prefer using AF-C and a single focus point.

Also be sure that the autofocussing switch is enabled, BOTH on the camera and the lens.

#3
Scotty

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Jerry,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I do have the camera set at AF-C.

Single focus point , I assume that means the small square in the centre of the viewfinder ?...there is only 1 square and not several

Auto-focus is on , camera and lens

 

Example : if I am photographing a heron in flight which is a relatively slow flyer , the wing tips are often blurred just not sharp. I tend to walk in the woods or riverbank and often try to take pictures of the birds as I move ie I am not static waiting on the birds to fly past

 

Sorry if this is not making a lot of sense.



#4
Merco_61

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What shutter speeds do you use?

The heron's wing quills are in constant motion, even if it is gliding with extended wings. This means that sometimes not even 1/1000 is fast enough to get the wing tips critically sharp @200 mm.



#5
Scotty

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At the moment I am only using autofocus



#6
Merco_61

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I saw that you use autofocus. My question is exposure-related. A too long exposure makes for fuzzy, unsharp birds. VR or tripods won’t help with subject movement.

#7
Jerry_

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@Scotty, what mode do you use?

In P-mode the camera will try to get the best average result, but may not compensate for some fast moving elements (tip of the wings)

As Peter suggested try setting the camera to S-mode and the shutter speed to 1/2000s. The downside is that Aperture and ISO (set Auto ISO on) will have to compensate with a lower depth of field and (possibly) more grain in the picture, unless there is bright sun.

#8
Merco_61

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This gull is shot with the Z 70-200/2.8 S at 1/4000 f/3.5 and ISO 3200 on my Z6II

 

gallery_1251_835_165471.jpg

 

It is cropped slightly.



#9
Scotty

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Your picture is very good. I cant get anything like that , I will try what Jerry (above) suggests. Thanks for taking the time to help I appreciate it. I will be out in the next few day weather permitting.


Jerry,

 

I am in P mode. If I move to S mode would that impact the autofocus functions ?

 

Think I need to read the manual again.....in more detail ....lol

 

Thanks

 

@Scotty, what mode do you use?

In P-mode the camera will try to get the best average result, but may not compensate for some fast moving elements (tip of the wings)

As Peter suggested try setting the camera to S-mode and the shutter speed to 1/2000s. The downside is that Aperture and ISO (set Auto ISO on) will have to compensate with a lower depth of field and (possibly) more grain in the picture, unless there is bright sun.



#10
Merco_61

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I usually take things even further than S mode and go for full manual(M), but with AutoISO active.

A shutter of 1/2000 to1/4000 depending on how agile the bird I am hunting is and the aperture closed down 2/3 of a stop (with a f/2.8 lens this ends up at f/3.5).

Your exposure mode setting won’t affect the autofocus.

#11
Scotty

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Merco_61.....thanks for that. I need to understand that a bit more and try it out asap. I guess I am a little worried that if I start selecting the modes then I will loose some of the autofocus settings !

 

Beginners nerves I guess....lol



#12
Merco_61

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There are two books that I usually recommend to get more from your camera, besides reading the manual.

 

The first is a beginner’s guide to photography, but tailored to your specific camera. I think the author has written over 40 of these for different cameras. The book is David Busch’s Nikon D500 Guide to Digital SLR Photography. It is available in both e-book and dead tree format.
 

The second is an in-depth book on how the focus system, the exposure metering and the menus work and tips on how to get the most from them. This book is Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D500. It is only available as an e-book.

 

I have linked to Amazon UK for one and directly to the author for the other and the links should take you directly to the D500-specific books. 



#13
Jerry_

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…. I guess I am a little worried that if I start selecting the modes then I will loose some of the autofocus settings !

Beginners nerves I guess....lol

No worry, you will not loose autofocus

Keep it on AF-C and single focus point (you mention that the single point is in the center, which is a good position. Did you realize you can move the focus point/area, by using the small toggle/joystick; pressing the same toggle, moves the focus point back to the centre (these are the factory settings, though you can change the behaviour) - this may not be useful when hunting for the bird in flight, but it will help for the picture composition)

PS.: if the focus point doesn’t move, you have the switch likely on the ‘L’-position, just change and the focus point should be able to be moved

#14
lightcapture

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This gull is shot with the Z 70-200/2.8 S at 1/4000 f/3.5 and ISO 3200 on my Z6II

 

gallery_1251_835_165471.jpg

 

It is cropped slightly.

Nice


I am having trouble in taking clear pictures of birds in flight (autofocus). I would suspect that since I am not using a tripod then this would mainly be down to camera shake ?

 

Is the simple solution to start using a tripod ?

 

Camera - Nikon D500

Lens - Nikon 70 - 200 f2.8e FL ED 

 

Auto focus

VR Setting = Sport

A/m 

You're probably better than I've done. Takes practice if this type of photography is your interest. Think how many photos you've taken of people and, landscapes, and travel., You'll keep getting better.



#15
Scotty

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Thanks for the help and recommendations



#16
adiecuk

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I don’t photograph birds in flight too often but when I do I use af-c, wide area (small) and a shutter speed of1/2000 or higher.
Aperture is always the smallest I have which is f5.6 in my case on my 200-500
My camera is the first generation z7 so by. No means the fastest for birds
Im reasonably happy with a decent percentage of my images taken, if I want to deliberately go and take images of smaller, faster birds I will take my wife’s d500

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